Why does the phrase “drop dead gorgeous” mean “very gorgeous”?
I came across the phrase Drop Dead Gorgeous which means very gorgeous or good-looking.
Why does the above phrase have this meaning? How do the given words relate to the meaning?
meaning phrase-meaning
asked Feb 7 at 4:40
ArvindrajaArvindraja
251111
add a comment |
I came across the phrase Drop Dead Gorgeous which means very gorgeous or good-looking.
Why does the above phrase have this meaning? How do the given words relate to the meaning?
meaning phrase-meaning
asked Feb 7 at 4:40
ArvindrajaArvindraja
251111
add a comment |
I came across the phrase Drop Dead Gorgeous which means very gorgeous or good-looking.
Why does the above phrase have this meaning? How do the given words relate to the meaning?
meaning phrase-meaning
asked Feb 7 at 4:40
ArvindrajaArvindraja
251111
I came across the phrase Drop Dead Gorgeous which means very gorgeous or good-looking.
Why does the above phrase have this meaning? How do the given words relate to the meaning?
meaning phrase-meaning
meaning phrase-meaning
asked Feb 7 at 4:40
ArvindrajaArvindraja
251111
asked Feb 7 at 4:40
ArvindrajaArvindraja
251111
edited Feb 7 at 10:55
Arvindraja
asked Feb 7 at 4:40
ArvindrajaArvindraja
251111
asked Feb 7 at 4:40
ArvindrajaArvindraja
251111
asked Feb 7 at 4:40
ArvindrajaArvindraja
251111
251111
add a comment |
add a comment |
4 Answers
4
active
oldest
votes
Drop dead works as an intensifier in this phrase. The reference to death isn't literal; it's a hyperbolic expression meant to emphasize how incredibly stunning the speaker finds the person being described.
It's thematically akin to phrases like "I am so [adjective] I could die" (common examples: "hungry," "happy") or "I'm bored to death."
answered Feb 7 at 5:01
KatyKaty
1,873414
41
I would say heart-stoppingly and perhaps breathtakingly are more analogous.
– choster
Feb 7 at 5:15
5
@choster I agree that they would be appropriate synonyms for "drop dead" in this example, but they reference death more obliquely, and I wanted to emphasize the specific theme of hyperbolic phrases that include death.
– Katy
Feb 7 at 5:21
7
It's seems a relevant consideration that "drop dead" is a further exaggeration of "stunning", in that it expresses the effect that this gorgeous person has on people who see them.
– Flater
Feb 7 at 9:33
1
I believe it is also connected to the phrase to stop dead in one's tracks. While travelling, something so surprising or stunning causes us to stop immediately. Dropping dead is a further exaggeration of this state of shock or awe. Stop dead is to stop immediately, drop dead makes it fatal.
– Andy G
Feb 8 at 15:12
1
See also, knockout and to die for.
– Will Crawford
Feb 8 at 17:53
|
show 2 more comments
A first degree paraphrase of:
This person is drop dead gorgeous.
is:
This person is so gorgeous that I could drop dead.
That is, "drop dead" is a description of the reaction of onlookers: they could drop dead due to the shock of seeing such a gorgeous person.
There are other similar expressions in English: shockingly, stunningly, and they are all tied to physical reactions that onlookers could experience (and display).
Imagine a teenage popstar walking down a mall, and the ripples it would create in the crowd:
- jaws dropping,
- eyes bugging out,
- fingers pointing,
- people stopping to look,
- fans fainting,
- ...
answered Feb 7 at 9:58
Matthieu M.Matthieu M.
56135
add a comment |
I used to think that the phrase 'Drop dead gorgeous' was Victorian in origin, due to the Victorian habit of using mercury and arsenic in their beauty products and thus killing the person using them. But I'm unable to find any reference to this.
answered Feb 7 at 8:39
JGNIJGNI
1252
18
That really looks like a typical folk etymology.
– Vladimir F
Feb 7 at 9:38
1
@VladimirF yes, all my research on this suggests it's 20th century in origin.
– JGNI
Feb 7 at 9:42
The idea of someone being so beautiful even in death is not new. Shakespeare wrote: Death, that hath suck'd the honey of thy breath, Hath had no power yet upon thy beauty; Thou art not conquer'd; beauty's ensign yet Is crimson in thy lips, and in thy cheeks, And death's pale flag is not advanced there. (Romeo & Juliet, Act V, scene 3, line 92.)
– Rick Ryker
Feb 7 at 17:37
1
This is entirely and wholly incorrect.
– Fattie
Feb 8 at 12:37
add a comment |
Compare "Heart-stoppingly beautiful", with the same meaning and the same metaphor of killing the viewer. With heart-stopping it's clearly referring to excitement/rising blood pressure.
answered Feb 8 at 10:39
user3445853user3445853
1283
add a comment |
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4 Answers
4
active
oldest
votes
4 Answers
4
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
Drop dead works as an intensifier in this phrase. The reference to death isn't literal; it's a hyperbolic expression meant to emphasize how incredibly stunning the speaker finds the person being described.
It's thematically akin to phrases like "I am so [adjective] I could die" (common examples: "hungry," "happy") or "I'm bored to death."
answered Feb 7 at 5:01
KatyKaty
1,873414
41
I would say heart-stoppingly and perhaps breathtakingly are more analogous.
– choster
Feb 7 at 5:15
5
@choster I agree that they would be appropriate synonyms for "drop dead" in this example, but they reference death more obliquely, and I wanted to emphasize the specific theme of hyperbolic phrases that include death.
– Katy
Feb 7 at 5:21
7
It's seems a relevant consideration that "drop dead" is a further exaggeration of "stunning", in that it expresses the effect that this gorgeous person has on people who see them.
– Flater
Feb 7 at 9:33
1
I believe it is also connected to the phrase to stop dead in one's tracks. While travelling, something so surprising or stunning causes us to stop immediately. Dropping dead is a further exaggeration of this state of shock or awe. Stop dead is to stop immediately, drop dead makes it fatal.
– Andy G
Feb 8 at 15:12
1
See also, knockout and to die for.
– Will Crawford
Feb 8 at 17:53
|
show 2 more comments
Drop dead works as an intensifier in this phrase. The reference to death isn't literal; it's a hyperbolic expression meant to emphasize how incredibly stunning the speaker finds the person being described.
It's thematically akin to phrases like "I am so [adjective] I could die" (common examples: "hungry," "happy") or "I'm bored to death."
answered Feb 7 at 5:01
KatyKaty
1,873414
41
I would say heart-stoppingly and perhaps breathtakingly are more analogous.
– choster
Feb 7 at 5:15
5
@choster I agree that they would be appropriate synonyms for "drop dead" in this example, but they reference death more obliquely, and I wanted to emphasize the specific theme of hyperbolic phrases that include death.
– Katy
Feb 7 at 5:21
7
It's seems a relevant consideration that "drop dead" is a further exaggeration of "stunning", in that it expresses the effect that this gorgeous person has on people who see them.
– Flater
Feb 7 at 9:33
1
I believe it is also connected to the phrase to stop dead in one's tracks. While travelling, something so surprising or stunning causes us to stop immediately. Dropping dead is a further exaggeration of this state of shock or awe. Stop dead is to stop immediately, drop dead makes it fatal.
– Andy G
Feb 8 at 15:12
1
See also, knockout and to die for.
– Will Crawford
Feb 8 at 17:53
|
show 2 more comments
Drop dead works as an intensifier in this phrase. The reference to death isn't literal; it's a hyperbolic expression meant to emphasize how incredibly stunning the speaker finds the person being described.
It's thematically akin to phrases like "I am so [adjective] I could die" (common examples: "hungry," "happy") or "I'm bored to death."
answered Feb 7 at 5:01
KatyKaty
1,873414
Drop dead works as an intensifier in this phrase. The reference to death isn't literal; it's a hyperbolic expression meant to emphasize how incredibly stunning the speaker finds the person being described.
It's thematically akin to phrases like "I am so [adjective] I could die" (common examples: "hungry," "happy") or "I'm bored to death."
answered Feb 7 at 5:01
KatyKaty
1,873414
answered Feb 7 at 5:01
KatyKaty
1,873414
answered Feb 7 at 5:01
KatyKaty
1,873414
answered Feb 7 at 5:01
KatyKaty
1,873414
1,873414
41
I would say heart-stoppingly and perhaps breathtakingly are more analogous.
– choster
Feb 7 at 5:15
5
@choster I agree that they would be appropriate synonyms for "drop dead" in this example, but they reference death more obliquely, and I wanted to emphasize the specific theme of hyperbolic phrases that include death.
– Katy
Feb 7 at 5:21
7
It's seems a relevant consideration that "drop dead" is a further exaggeration of "stunning", in that it expresses the effect that this gorgeous person has on people who see them.
– Flater
Feb 7 at 9:33
1
I believe it is also connected to the phrase to stop dead in one's tracks. While travelling, something so surprising or stunning causes us to stop immediately. Dropping dead is a further exaggeration of this state of shock or awe. Stop dead is to stop immediately, drop dead makes it fatal.
– Andy G
Feb 8 at 15:12
1
See also, knockout and to die for.
– Will Crawford
Feb 8 at 17:53
|
show 2 more comments
41
I would say heart-stoppingly and perhaps breathtakingly are more analogous.
– choster
Feb 7 at 5:15
5
@choster I agree that they would be appropriate synonyms for "drop dead" in this example, but they reference death more obliquely, and I wanted to emphasize the specific theme of hyperbolic phrases that include death.
– Katy
Feb 7 at 5:21
7
It's seems a relevant consideration that "drop dead" is a further exaggeration of "stunning", in that it expresses the effect that this gorgeous person has on people who see them.
– Flater
Feb 7 at 9:33
1
I believe it is also connected to the phrase to stop dead in one's tracks. While travelling, something so surprising or stunning causes us to stop immediately. Dropping dead is a further exaggeration of this state of shock or awe. Stop dead is to stop immediately, drop dead makes it fatal.
– Andy G
Feb 8 at 15:12
1
See also, knockout and to die for.
– Will Crawford
Feb 8 at 17:53
41
41
I would say heart-stoppingly and perhaps breathtakingly are more analogous.
– choster
Feb 7 at 5:15
I would say heart-stoppingly and perhaps breathtakingly are more analogous.
– choster
Feb 7 at 5:15
5
5
@choster I agree that they would be appropriate synonyms for "drop dead" in this example, but they reference death more obliquely, and I wanted to emphasize the specific theme of hyperbolic phrases that include death.
– Katy
Feb 7 at 5:21
@choster I agree that they would be appropriate synonyms for "drop dead" in this example, but they reference death more obliquely, and I wanted to emphasize the specific theme of hyperbolic phrases that include death.
– Katy
Feb 7 at 5:21
7
7
It's seems a relevant consideration that "drop dead" is a further exaggeration of "stunning", in that it expresses the effect that this gorgeous person has on people who see them.
– Flater
Feb 7 at 9:33
It's seems a relevant consideration that "drop dead" is a further exaggeration of "stunning", in that it expresses the effect that this gorgeous person has on people who see them.
– Flater
Feb 7 at 9:33
1
1
I believe it is also connected to the phrase to stop dead in one's tracks. While travelling, something so surprising or stunning causes us to stop immediately. Dropping dead is a further exaggeration of this state of shock or awe. Stop dead is to stop immediately, drop dead makes it fatal.
– Andy G
Feb 8 at 15:12
I believe it is also connected to the phrase to stop dead in one's tracks. While travelling, something so surprising or stunning causes us to stop immediately. Dropping dead is a further exaggeration of this state of shock or awe. Stop dead is to stop immediately, drop dead makes it fatal.
– Andy G
Feb 8 at 15:12
1
1
See also, knockout and to die for.
– Will Crawford
Feb 8 at 17:53
See also, knockout and to die for.
– Will Crawford
Feb 8 at 17:53
|
show 2 more comments
A first degree paraphrase of:
This person is drop dead gorgeous.
is:
This person is so gorgeous that I could drop dead.
That is, "drop dead" is a description of the reaction of onlookers: they could drop dead due to the shock of seeing such a gorgeous person.
There are other similar expressions in English: shockingly, stunningly, and they are all tied to physical reactions that onlookers could experience (and display).
Imagine a teenage popstar walking down a mall, and the ripples it would create in the crowd:
- jaws dropping,
- eyes bugging out,
- fingers pointing,
- people stopping to look,
- fans fainting,
- ...
answered Feb 7 at 9:58
Matthieu M.Matthieu M.
56135
add a comment |
A first degree paraphrase of:
This person is drop dead gorgeous.
is:
This person is so gorgeous that I could drop dead.
That is, "drop dead" is a description of the reaction of onlookers: they could drop dead due to the shock of seeing such a gorgeous person.
There are other similar expressions in English: shockingly, stunningly, and they are all tied to physical reactions that onlookers could experience (and display).
Imagine a teenage popstar walking down a mall, and the ripples it would create in the crowd:
- jaws dropping,
- eyes bugging out,
- fingers pointing,
- people stopping to look,
- fans fainting,
- ...
answered Feb 7 at 9:58
Matthieu M.Matthieu M.
56135
add a comment |
A first degree paraphrase of:
This person is drop dead gorgeous.
is:
This person is so gorgeous that I could drop dead.
That is, "drop dead" is a description of the reaction of onlookers: they could drop dead due to the shock of seeing such a gorgeous person.
There are other similar expressions in English: shockingly, stunningly, and they are all tied to physical reactions that onlookers could experience (and display).
Imagine a teenage popstar walking down a mall, and the ripples it would create in the crowd:
- jaws dropping,
- eyes bugging out,
- fingers pointing,
- people stopping to look,
- fans fainting,
- ...
answered Feb 7 at 9:58
Matthieu M.Matthieu M.
56135
A first degree paraphrase of:
This person is drop dead gorgeous.
is:
This person is so gorgeous that I could drop dead.
That is, "drop dead" is a description of the reaction of onlookers: they could drop dead due to the shock of seeing such a gorgeous person.
There are other similar expressions in English: shockingly, stunningly, and they are all tied to physical reactions that onlookers could experience (and display).
Imagine a teenage popstar walking down a mall, and the ripples it would create in the crowd:
- jaws dropping,
- eyes bugging out,
- fingers pointing,
- people stopping to look,
- fans fainting,
- ...
answered Feb 7 at 9:58
Matthieu M.Matthieu M.
56135
answered Feb 7 at 9:58
Matthieu M.Matthieu M.
56135
answered Feb 7 at 9:58
Matthieu M.Matthieu M.
56135
answered Feb 7 at 9:58
Matthieu M.Matthieu M.
56135
56135
add a comment |
add a comment |
I used to think that the phrase 'Drop dead gorgeous' was Victorian in origin, due to the Victorian habit of using mercury and arsenic in their beauty products and thus killing the person using them. But I'm unable to find any reference to this.
answered Feb 7 at 8:39
JGNIJGNI
1252
18
That really looks like a typical folk etymology.
– Vladimir F
Feb 7 at 9:38
1
@VladimirF yes, all my research on this suggests it's 20th century in origin.
– JGNI
Feb 7 at 9:42
The idea of someone being so beautiful even in death is not new. Shakespeare wrote: Death, that hath suck'd the honey of thy breath, Hath had no power yet upon thy beauty; Thou art not conquer'd; beauty's ensign yet Is crimson in thy lips, and in thy cheeks, And death's pale flag is not advanced there. (Romeo & Juliet, Act V, scene 3, line 92.)
– Rick Ryker
Feb 7 at 17:37
1
This is entirely and wholly incorrect.
– Fattie
Feb 8 at 12:37
add a comment |
I used to think that the phrase 'Drop dead gorgeous' was Victorian in origin, due to the Victorian habit of using mercury and arsenic in their beauty products and thus killing the person using them. But I'm unable to find any reference to this.
answered Feb 7 at 8:39
JGNIJGNI
1252
18
That really looks like a typical folk etymology.
– Vladimir F
Feb 7 at 9:38
1
@VladimirF yes, all my research on this suggests it's 20th century in origin.
– JGNI
Feb 7 at 9:42
The idea of someone being so beautiful even in death is not new. Shakespeare wrote: Death, that hath suck'd the honey of thy breath, Hath had no power yet upon thy beauty; Thou art not conquer'd; beauty's ensign yet Is crimson in thy lips, and in thy cheeks, And death's pale flag is not advanced there. (Romeo & Juliet, Act V, scene 3, line 92.)
– Rick Ryker
Feb 7 at 17:37
1
This is entirely and wholly incorrect.
– Fattie
Feb 8 at 12:37
add a comment |
I used to think that the phrase 'Drop dead gorgeous' was Victorian in origin, due to the Victorian habit of using mercury and arsenic in their beauty products and thus killing the person using them. But I'm unable to find any reference to this.
answered Feb 7 at 8:39
JGNIJGNI
1252
I used to think that the phrase 'Drop dead gorgeous' was Victorian in origin, due to the Victorian habit of using mercury and arsenic in their beauty products and thus killing the person using them. But I'm unable to find any reference to this.
answered Feb 7 at 8:39
JGNIJGNI
1252
answered Feb 7 at 8:39
JGNIJGNI
1252
answered Feb 7 at 8:39
JGNIJGNI
1252
answered Feb 7 at 8:39
JGNIJGNI
1252
1252
18
That really looks like a typical folk etymology.
– Vladimir F
Feb 7 at 9:38
1
@VladimirF yes, all my research on this suggests it's 20th century in origin.
– JGNI
Feb 7 at 9:42
The idea of someone being so beautiful even in death is not new. Shakespeare wrote: Death, that hath suck'd the honey of thy breath, Hath had no power yet upon thy beauty; Thou art not conquer'd; beauty's ensign yet Is crimson in thy lips, and in thy cheeks, And death's pale flag is not advanced there. (Romeo & Juliet, Act V, scene 3, line 92.)
– Rick Ryker
Feb 7 at 17:37
1
This is entirely and wholly incorrect.
– Fattie
Feb 8 at 12:37
add a comment |
18
That really looks like a typical folk etymology.
– Vladimir F
Feb 7 at 9:38
1
@VladimirF yes, all my research on this suggests it's 20th century in origin.
– JGNI
Feb 7 at 9:42
The idea of someone being so beautiful even in death is not new. Shakespeare wrote: Death, that hath suck'd the honey of thy breath, Hath had no power yet upon thy beauty; Thou art not conquer'd; beauty's ensign yet Is crimson in thy lips, and in thy cheeks, And death's pale flag is not advanced there. (Romeo & Juliet, Act V, scene 3, line 92.)
– Rick Ryker
Feb 7 at 17:37
1
This is entirely and wholly incorrect.
– Fattie
Feb 8 at 12:37
18
18
That really looks like a typical folk etymology.
– Vladimir F
Feb 7 at 9:38
That really looks like a typical folk etymology.
– Vladimir F
Feb 7 at 9:38
1
1
@VladimirF yes, all my research on this suggests it's 20th century in origin.
– JGNI
Feb 7 at 9:42
@VladimirF yes, all my research on this suggests it's 20th century in origin.
– JGNI
Feb 7 at 9:42
The idea of someone being so beautiful even in death is not new. Shakespeare wrote: Death, that hath suck'd the honey of thy breath, Hath had no power yet upon thy beauty; Thou art not conquer'd; beauty's ensign yet Is crimson in thy lips, and in thy cheeks, And death's pale flag is not advanced there. (Romeo & Juliet, Act V, scene 3, line 92.)
– Rick Ryker
Feb 7 at 17:37
The idea of someone being so beautiful even in death is not new. Shakespeare wrote: Death, that hath suck'd the honey of thy breath, Hath had no power yet upon thy beauty; Thou art not conquer'd; beauty's ensign yet Is crimson in thy lips, and in thy cheeks, And death's pale flag is not advanced there. (Romeo & Juliet, Act V, scene 3, line 92.)
– Rick Ryker
Feb 7 at 17:37
1
1
This is entirely and wholly incorrect.
– Fattie
Feb 8 at 12:37
This is entirely and wholly incorrect.
– Fattie
Feb 8 at 12:37
add a comment |
Compare "Heart-stoppingly beautiful", with the same meaning and the same metaphor of killing the viewer. With heart-stopping it's clearly referring to excitement/rising blood pressure.
answered Feb 8 at 10:39
user3445853user3445853
1283
add a comment |
Compare "Heart-stoppingly beautiful", with the same meaning and the same metaphor of killing the viewer. With heart-stopping it's clearly referring to excitement/rising blood pressure.
answered Feb 8 at 10:39
user3445853user3445853
1283
add a comment |
Compare "Heart-stoppingly beautiful", with the same meaning and the same metaphor of killing the viewer. With heart-stopping it's clearly referring to excitement/rising blood pressure.
answered Feb 8 at 10:39
user3445853user3445853
1283
Compare "Heart-stoppingly beautiful", with the same meaning and the same metaphor of killing the viewer. With heart-stopping it's clearly referring to excitement/rising blood pressure.
answered Feb 8 at 10:39
user3445853user3445853
1283
answered Feb 8 at 10:39
user3445853user3445853
1283
answered Feb 8 at 10:39
user3445853user3445853
1283
answered Feb 8 at 10:39
user3445853user3445853
1283
1283
add a comment |
add a comment |
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